Christian Service F.I.A.T. Program

All juniors and seniors are required to participate in at least one FIAT program each year. The word “fiat” refers to Mary’s answer to the angel Gabriel when she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you have said.” Bishop Stang High School uses F.I.A.T. as an acronym for Faith In Action Together. Mary’s fiat said “yes” to bringing Christ into the world. Our fiat is our “yes” to bringing Christ into the world.

Each F.I.A.T program includes an educational, service, and reflective component, all of which are essential to the program and therefore required. Below is a brief description of each service opportunity.

My Brother’s Keeper: Dedicated to bringing “The love and hope of Jesus Christ to those they serve” volunteers at My Brother’s Keeper deliver furniture to local families in need. Students must volunteer three times at any point throughout the year. Students must complete a reflection with Mrs. Dias during the month they complete their service. (Mrs. Dias) www.mybrotherskeeper.org

Catholic Social Services Christmas Project: The month before Christmas, students will choose gifts for needy families from the donations given to Catholic Social Services and then box and wrap the gifts for ddistribution. The dates this year are November 28th and December 4th. (Mrs. Ruginis)https://www.cssdioc.org/gift-of-giving/

Gifts To Give: Typically completed in March, this project will involve the solicitation of lightly used children’s books, clothing, toys, etc. from friends and family and assisting the agency to process those gifts for distribution to needy children. (Mrs. Habershaw) www.giftstogive.org

St. Anthony's Food Pantry and Spring Food Drive: Students will visit the St. Anthony's food pantry in April During the following 3 weeks, students will collect canned goods and non-perishable items.

Joseph’s Apprentices: A group of juniors and seniors will travel to Appalachia to do mission work the last week of June. (Mrs. Ruginis)

Walk for Multiple Sclerosis: A consciousness-raising project held on a Sunday in April involving the planning, participation, and securing of pledges to support the Multiple Sclerosis Society. (Mr. Kennedy) http://www.nationalmssociety.org

Pro-Life Walk – Washington: A consciousness-raising project involving participation in the Washington, D.C. walk held January 18-20th, 2018. Students should be in good academic standing in order to attend. Please note: there is a fee attached to this F.I.A.T. (Mrs. Tarantelli) http://marchforlife.org/

Heart Walk Book Drive: This project will involve gathering and selling books to benefit the Flynn/Silva Heart Walk Team. This event will be held in April (Ms. Silva)

Parish Community Participation: Participation in parish sponsored ministry including Religious Education and Music Ministry, Altar Serving, Lectoring, etc. Regularly scheduled meetings will be held throughout the year for reflection. Service to your parish community should be completed by May 1st. (Ms. Deramo)

Missions For Humanity: This is a parish consciousness-raising project involving a variety of ways to support people living in some of the poorest communities of Honduras and Tanzania. (Ms.Crosson) https://www.missionsforhumanity.org/

Appalachia Mission Trip: This June, a group of students will travel to Appalachia to participate in a Mission trip. Students will complete a variety of projects ranging from manual labor to supervising a camp program. (Mrs. Ruginis)

Elementary/Community After-School Service Programs: Programs include extensive participation in coaching, tutoring, mentoring, and other service to the greater community (example- volunteering at the Buttonwood Park Zoo). If you are choosing this option for your FIAT, you need to see Ms. Murphy to receive the required paperwork and the service should be completed by May 1st.

St. Julie Billiart Service Award: "Making Known the Goodness of God"
The St. Julie Billiart Service Award is awarded to any student who completes 150 hours or more of documented, verified service in a given year. The time span to complete the service is from June 1st to May 31st. The 150 hours may include up to 25 hours of service performed at Bishop Stang High School (even these must be documented and verified). Please go here for the required paperwork.